What Are Researchers Up To?

Friday Forum - Is it now OK to be fat? - Today's topic: Is there too much concern about weight? Readers weigh in on study that says being overweight may not be as bad as once thought.

May 6, 2005

In 1991, only 12 percent of adult Americans were obese. By 2001 the number had jumped to 21 percent, and it continues to grow. Obesity has been proved to increase the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Yet with all of these risks associated with it, federal researchers are now saying that it is less of a health risk.

It seems that nowadays we are constantly hearing the words, "studies have shown that (insert health issue) is not as bad as we previously thought." It makes one wonder what exactly these researchers are up to.

Exercise and healthy eating have always been positive things for me. My motivation, energy, body and all-around happiness have been high whenever I have been consistent in eating healthy and maintaining some sort of exercise routine. It has helped to relieve stress and make life easier to deal with.

It is for all these reasons that I, for one, have decided that instead of changing this healthy lifestyle because obesity is "less of a risk," I will stick to it because for all we know they could come out with yet another study telling us that being overweight is once again a bad thing.